ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
An interactive virtual museum to showcase the tales of valour of the country’s Gallantry award winners;
SIDM partners with MoD to implement the project in time-bound manner
As the nation celebrates the 75th anniversary of its Independence, Ministry of Defence  has initiated a project to create an interactive virtual museum of the country’s Gallantry award winners to honour the heroic deeds of the bravehearts of India. MoD will implement the project, with no financial implications, in partnership with Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers  and Confederation of Indian Industries . The Approval Letter to this effect was handed over by Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar to President, SIDM Shri Jayant D Patil in New Delhi on June 30, 2021. The project is expected to be completed soon.
The virtual museum will be hosted by the Gallantry awards portal . It will provide a 3D walk-through experience through a Gallery Building, Wall of Fame, an Awardee Gallery with their photos &profiles, a tour of War Memorials and an auditorium ‘The War Room’ hosting the tales of bravery. The museum will include a range of animation videos that would bring to life the gallant stories of war heroes. In addition, there will be facility for the visitors to pay their respects by posting a tribute message.
Speaking on the occasion, the Defence Secretary said the initiative will contribute in bringing to life the heroic deeds of the winners of the gallantry awards and acknowledge their immense contribution & indomitable spirit in securing the nation from internal and external threats. He said, it would enable a grateful nation to pay homage to the country’s bravehearts, adding that it would be a befitting tribute to their acts of valour in the service of the nation.
The Defence Secretary said that the project would be the first-of-its-kind cyber museum that would honour the war heroes, emphasising that it would add value to the Gallantry Awards Portal to inspire the countrymen, especially the youth, to serve the nation. The project also aims to express gratitude to the families of the Armed Forces personnel and convey the Nation’s respect to them. Dr Ajay Kumar thanked the SIDM for volunteering to implement the project.
Accepting the responsibility, Shri Jayant D Patil thanked the Defence Secretary for choosing SIDM for this prestigious and unique project that would honour the Armed Forces. He stated that “it is coinciding with the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence and 50th anniversary of the 1971 war and is the best way to honour the Armed Forces”. He added that SIDM would work towards speedy implementation of the project thereafter also will continue to improve the platform on a regular basis. Senior officials of MoD, SIDM and CII were present on the occasion.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets everyone on the occasion of Rath Yatra
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted everyone on the occasion of Rath Yatra.
Shri Modi has also shared a video on the importance of Rath Yatra in Indian culture.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“Rath Yatra greetings to everyone. As we celebrate this sacred occasion, may the divine journey of Lord Jagannath fill our lives with health, happiness and spiritual enrichment.”
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets the nation on Christmas
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has conveyed his greetings to the nation on Christmas.
“Merry Christmas!
We remember, with immense joy, the noble thoughts of Jesus Christ. He epitomised spirit of service and compassion, devoting his life towards alleviating human suffering.
His teachings inspire millions across the world.”, the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Special Campaign in the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research
The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research  has successfully reduced the pendency of various issues, such as MP references, PMO references, IMC references and public grievances during the period December 2022 to July 2023 in continuation of activities of Special Campaign 2.0. DSIR and its CPSEs i.e. CEL, NRDC and Autonomous Body, CSIR, have achieved significant progress in clearing these matters.
2. It is a matter of great satisfaction that under the active leadership of DG CSIR -cum Secretary, DSIR and close monitoring by Joint Secretary, DSIR, who is Nodal Officer of Special Campaign on Swachhata, an impressive performance was achieved during the campaign.
3. As a part of the campaign 587 files weeded, 06 cleanliness drives were conducted, 620 public grievance were disposed, Rs.44,128/- earned from waste disposal, 10 IMC reference, 13 PMO references disposed.
4. DSIR is committed to minimizing pendency and ensuring cleanliness in our premises and all our CPSEs and Autonomous Body. To give further boost to this exercise the Department along with its CPSEs i.e. CEL, NRDC and Autonomous Body, CSIR, will organise Special Campaign 3.0 for improving Swachhata and disposal of pending references from 2nd to 31st October, 2023.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Management of waste water
Under Swachh Bharat Mission  [SBM-G]Phase II, faecal sludge and greywater generated from the households in rural areas are treated separately. Management of greywater is promoted through the onsite systems near the source through soak pits/leach pits/magic pits, wherever possible at Household or at Community level. However, on a larger scale or at the village level specialized technologies viz., Waste Stabilization Ponds, Constructed Wetlands, etc., can be used as per the feasibility. The treated wastewater is reused for non-potable uses like irrigation.For disposal of human excreta, use of safe and onsite sanitation technologies such as twin leach pit toilets arepromoted in the country in the rural areas.This technology converts the faecal sludge into manure in a period of 1-2 years, which is good manure for agriculture. However, in case of septic tank-based toilets, the faecal sludge is managed through mechanized desludging and treatment through urban-rural convergence in Sewage /Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants.
In so far as urban areas are concerned, under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation , so far, 1437 MLD capacity have been developed for the sewage reuse/recycle purpose. Of this, 848 MLD is currently being reused.864 sewerage & septage management projects worth ₹33,985 crorehave been grounded. So far, Sewerage Treatment Plants  capacity of 2,840 MLD have been created and 3,468 MLD is in progress. Further, Government has launched AMRUT 2.0 on 1st October 2021 with target of making cities water secure and providing functional water tap connections to all households in all statutory towns/cities. It also targets universal coverage of sewerage & septage management in 500 AMRUT cities.So far, AMRUT 2.0 Mission has approved 4,830 projects worth ₹93,381 crore . Of this, 331 sewerage & septage management projects are worth ₹ 26,076 crore. These projects target to provide around 20 lakh sewer connections and 1,665 MLDs capacity through development of new STPs and augmentation of existing STPs.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Election Commission
“Voluntary Code of Ethics” by Social Media Platforms to be observed in the General Election to the Haryana & Maharashtra Legislative Assemblies and all future elections
Internet & Mobile Association of India  on behalf of its members has agreed to observe the “Voluntary Code of Ethics” during all future elections including the ongoing General Elections to the Haryana & Maharashtra legislative assemblies and various bye elections being held simultaneously. IAMAI and social media platforms Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter, Google, Sharechat and TikTok had presented and observed this “Voluntary Code of Ethics” during the General Election to 17thLok Sabha 2019. IAMAI has assured the Commission that the platforms will cooperate in ensuring the conduct of free and fair elections.
As a result of Commission’s vigorous persuasion, all the major social media platforms and IAMAI came together and mutually devised this “Voluntary Code of Ethics” for the General Elections 2019. This came into immediate effect from the day it was presented to the Commission on 20th March, 2019. During the election period,social media platforms took action on 909 violative cases, reported by the ECI.
The highlighted features of “Voluntary Code of Ethics” are as follows:
 Social Media platforms will voluntarily undertake information, education and communication campaigns to build awareness including electoral laws and other related instructions.
 Social Media platforms have created a high priority dedicated grievance redressal channel for taking expeditions action on the cases reported by the ECI.
 Social Media Platforms and ECI have developed a notification mechanism by this ECI can notify the relevant platforms of potential violations of Section 126 of the R.P. Act, 1951 and other electoral laws.
 Platforms will ensure that all political advertisements on their platforms are pre-certified from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committees as per the directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court.
 Participating platforms are committed to facilitate transparency in paid political advertisements, including utilising their pre-existing labels/disclosure technology for such advertisements.
The text of the Code dated 20th March 2019 alongwith the assurance received now from the IAMAI is linked below.
Click here to see the attachment
President's Secretariat
President’s Deepawali Greetings
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has sent his greetings to fellow citizens on the eve of Deepawali.
In his message, the President has said, “On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali, I convey greetings and best wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and abroad.
Deepawali marks the triumph of hope over despair, good over evil and light over darkness.
Let us on this day try to bring happiness in the lives of those who are less fortunate and needy by lighting the lamp of love, care and sharing.
May this festival of lights radiate happiness, peace and prosperity in every home across the country”.
Ministry of Education
Dr. Satya Pal Singh takes charge as the Minister of State for Human Resource Development
Dr. Satya Pal Singh took over as the Minister of State for Human Resource Development in New Delhi today. He represents Baghpat  Parliamentary constituency in Lok Sabha.
Shri Satya Pal Singh is the member of 16th Lok Sabha . He is also a Member, Joint Parliamentary Committee on Security of Parliament House Complex; Member, Standing Committee on Home Affairs; Member, Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament and Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Shri Singh an IPS officer, 1980 batch has handled various responsible positions very efficiently. He was Police Commissioner Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur and Additional D.G.P., Law & Order and Establishment, Maharashtra State. He took VRS from government job and joined the mainstream politics in 2014.
Ministry of Steel
SAIL undertakes CSR on International Day of Persons with Disabilities with distribution of assistive device
On the ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ on 3rd December, 2022,The Steel Authority of India Limited , the Maharatna Steel Public Sector, distributed assistive devices to Persons with Disabilities  across its Plants/Units and Corporate Office at New Delhi. SAIL has engaged Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India  to undertake this Priority Program under SAIL’s Corporate Social Responsibility . Smt. Soma Mondal, Chairman, SAIL along with other senior officials of the Company was present during the event at New Delhi.
This priority programof SAIL will be held across several locations in the country, mostly in the areas of operation of SAIL, in a phased manner under ‘Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. The Divyang jan are being empowered
through assistive aids like tricycle, motorized tricycles, smart canes & smart phones for visually impaired and hearing aids among others.
Currently, SAIL supports various focused facilities dedicated for Divyang jan at its plant locations viz ‘ School for Blind, Deaf and Mentally challenged children’ and ‘Home and Hope’ at Rourkela, ‘Ashalata Kendra’ at Bokaro, ‘Handicapped Oriented Education Program’ and ‘Durgapur Handicapped Happy Home’ at Durgapur, and ‘Cheshire Home’ at Burnpur.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and USA in insurance regulatory sector
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding  between Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India  and the Federal Insurance Office, USA.
Impact:
The MoU provides a framework for cooperation and coordination, including for the exchange of information and research assistance with respect to each Authority’s overview and other lawful responsibilities. Under the agreement, both the countries intend to share their experiences on various regulatory functions and to provide mutual assistance including training activities. India andUSA have also agreed to continue to facilitate cooperation on international standard-setting activities, financial stability and the development and implementation of consumer protection through sound prudential regulation of the insurance sector.
Background:
IRDAI is a body set up under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999 to regulate, promote and ensure orderly growth of the insurance and re-insurance business in India. Similarly, in USA, Federal Insurance Office  is vested with the authority to monitor all aspects of the insurance sector and to represent the USA on prudential aspects of international insurance.
India and USA have strong business relations with each other and both the countries have been in regular discussions at various political and official levels. Various institutional mechanisms have also been put in place over time to strengthen bi-lateral cooperation on wide ranging multi-sectoral issues between the two countries.
USA is one of the major contributors of foreign direct investment in India and many insurance companies have set up joint venture with USA based insurance companies. With increase in foreign investment cap to 49%, there is further scope for foreign investments in Indian insurance sector particularly from USA based companies. Hence the bilateral MoU between IRDAI and FIO, USA holds lot of potential for the two countries.
Special Service and Features
Union Minister Nisith Pramanik visits SAl LNCPE-NCOE
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Youth Affairs and Sports Shri. Nisith Pramanik visited Sai LNCPE - National Center of Excellence, Thiruvananthapuram.
Union Minister of State felicitated the National Games medal winners at the National Center of Excellence at a function held at the Athletic Pavilion. He witnessed the demonstration of Yoga, Lezim and Kalaripayat held at the LNCPE ground.
Literacy Society Chairman Dr. George Mathews gave the welcome address.
Earlier Shri. Nisith Pramanik offered floral tribute to the statue of Rani Lakshmi Bhai. The Minister also attended a video presentation on SAI's activities in Kerala at the Principal's chamber.
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Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Schemes for Agro-Forestry
Sub-Mission on Agroforestry  Scheme was launched in 2016-17 to encourage tree plantation on farm land along with crops/ cropping system to help the farmers get additional income and make their farming systems more climate resilient and adaptive. The scheme is being implemented in 20 States viz. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, M.P., Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, U.P., Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland and 2 UTs viz. J&K and Ladakh with funding pattern of 60:40 between Centre and State Govt. for all States excepting NE & Hilly states, where it is 90:10 and 100% in case of UTs & National Level Agencies.
Under the scheme, assistance to farmers is given through State Govt. for nursery development, boundary plantation and block plantation of prominent tree species to promote, inter-alia, fruits bearing tree borne oilseeds, medicinal & aromatic plants, silk & lac rearing host plants, in addition to timber species, so that farmers get early returns.
In case of promotion of horticulture and orchards, the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture , a Centrally Sponsored Scheme is being implemented w.e.f. 2014-15, for holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo. All States and UTs are covered under MIDH.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha.
Ministry of Tourism
Ministry of Tourism is organising five webinars of Dekho Apna Desh webinar series to celebrate Independence Day
It is that time of the year again when the people of the country stand together with pride humming the national anthem to respect the chronicled accomplishment of Indian Independence of 1947. Indias struggle to freedom is a significant chapter in the nations history and holds a value greater than any significant event of the past. The celebration of this day i.e. 15th August is marked by Prime Ministers hoisting of the Indian tricolour flag in countrys capital city New Delhi, and all across States and Union Territories and at the India Missions across the globe.
As the nation equips to commend its 74th Independence Day on the 15th of August 2020, Ministry of Tourism as part of its Dekho Apna Desh webinar series has lined up five webinars to commemorate and honour nations most significant day. These webinars will collectively touch upon themes encompassing the freedom movement, places significant to it and pioneers who had a notable participation in helping India secure its independence.
The webinar details are as follows:
- On 8th of August 2020  is the Memoirs of 1857: A Prelude to Independence by Ms. Nidhi Bansal, CEO, India City Walks & India With Locals and Dr. Soumi Roy, Head of Operations, IWL &IHW. Participants can register for the webinar on https:/ /bit.ly/Memoirsof1857
- On 10th of August 2020  is the ‘Cellular Jail: Letters, Memoirs and Memories by Ms. Nidhi Bansal, CEO, India City Walks & India With Locals, Dr. Soumi Roy, Head of Operations, IWL & IHW and Ms.Somrita Sengupta, City Explorer, India City Walks.
- On 12th of August 2020  is the ‘ Lesser known stories of Indias struggle for Independence by Mrs. Akila Raman and Ms. Nayantara Nayar from Storytrails
- On 14th of August 2020  is the ‘Jallianwala Bagh: A turning point in the Freedom struggle by Ms. Kishwar Desai, Chairperson, The Partition Museum, Amritsar.
- On 15th of August 2020  is the ‘Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel- Architect of United India by Mr. Sanjay Joshi, Addl. Collector & Chief Manager, Statue of Unity, Government of Gujarat.
- All sessions will commence from 11:00 AM till 12:00 PM.
While trying to keep up with social distancing and observe the guidelines of the lockdown, Ministry of Tourism has empowered the utilization of virtual medium to commend this significant event where anyone will have the option to join the meetings by means of National e-Governance Departments web-based conferencing site. The details for registration are available on the websites incredibleindia.org, tourism.gov.in and the social media handles of Incredible India.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Lifestyle diseases in India
Indian Council of Medical Research  and other Institutes conduct studies on lifestyle disease. According to ICMR India State-Level Disease Burden Study report “India: Health of the Nation’s States”, the estimated proportion of all deaths due to Non-Communicable Diseases  has increased from 37.09% in 1990 to 61.8% in 2016.
As per the National Family Health Survey ; 2015-16, 11% of women  and 15% of men  of age 15-49 are hypertensive. The survey has also found that about 60.4% of persons screened have ever had their blood pressure measured.
As per ICMR’s cancer registry data, the estimated incidences of cancer patients in India are 13,28,229, 13,88,397, 14,51,417 and 15,17,426 during the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. While estimated deaths due to cancer during these years are 670541, 701007, 732921 and 766348, respectively.
The Government has formulated the National Health Policy, 2017, which aims attainment of the highest possible level of good health and well-being for all at all ages, through a preventive and promotive health care orientation in all the developmental policies, and universal access to good quality health care services without anyone having to face financial hardship as a consequence. The policy seeks to move away from Sick- care to Wellness, with thrust on prevention and Health promotion. The policy, inter alia, seeks to reduce premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory diseases.
Government of India is also implementing National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke  under the National Health Mission. The objective of the programme includes awareness generation for Cancer prevention, screening, early detection and referral to an appropriate level institution for treatment. For Cancer, the focus is on three Cancer namely breast, cervical and oral.
Further, for early diagnosis, population level initiative of prevention, control and screening of common NCDs  has been rolled out in over 150 districts of the country in 2017-18 under NHM, as a part of comprehensive primary healthcare. This initiative will not only help in early diagnosis but also will generate awareness on risk factors of common NCDs.
Under PradhanMantriSwasthyaSurakshaYojana, 6 new AIIMS have been set up and upgradation of identified medical colleges has been undertaken which will also improve tertiary care facilities for NCDs including Diabetes.
In collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH, an initiative to use the knowledge available in AYUSH system of medicines for prevention and control of Non-communicable Diseases is being implemented in 6 districts on pilot basis.
The Minister of State , Smt Anupriya Patel stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays homage to Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya on his Jayanti
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid homage to Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya on his Jayanti.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"I pay homage to Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Ji on his Jayanti. His emphasis on Antyodaya and serving the poor keeps inspiring us. He is also widely remembered as an exceptional thinker and intellectual."